“Women have always got an excuse. ‘And the man gave unto me and I did eat.’ ”
“Lord! He’s been reading the Bible!” laughed Tony.
Will flushed. All those hours in quest of orthography passed through his mind. And what had all his painstaking letters led to? Quarrels, recriminations, miseries. Well, let him have done with it all. Ignore her, crush her, that was the best way. Once he had driven her out of the business, that tongue of hers would wag more meekly. Then, perhaps——!
A rousing blast on Jinny’s horn cut defiantly into his thoughts. It was at once a challenge and a mockery. Will turned his horses’ heads sharply and trotted out, Nip at their heels. But at the edge of the enclosure Nip looked back wistfully to beg his mistress to join the party. She, however, lowering her horn, cried, “Come here, you naughty dog. Come here at once.”
Nip stood in pathetic hesitation.
“It’s that animal my play shall be written round,” said Tony decisively. “How much do you want for him?”
“You know I wouldn’t, part with him for love or money,” said Jinny.
“Well, I haven’t got any money,” said Tony slowly. “But if you’d like the other thing——”
“Don’t be silly!” Jinny moved towards her cart.
“I mean it—a wife like you would be the making of a man.”